Sunday, January 21, 2018

Rosa Red—The Broken Planetarium—SE Portland

Friendship

This staged reading is written, staged and music by Laura
Christiania Dunn, based on a true story.
It will be given a full production in May at the Clinton Street
Theater. For more information, go to
their site at www.brokenplanetarium.org

Love may be the strongest word, on the positive side of the
spectrum, to express a feeling for another.
But Friendship certainly should run a close second. And, being a friend, does not always mean you
agree on everything, but that you can at least “agree to disagree.” It means, in part, appreciating and
respecting the other person for who they are.
But when there is turmoil all around you and it may mean death to walk a
certain path, that kind of friendship is strained to the max.

Such was the case with Rosa Luxemburg (Melia Tichenor) and
her best friend, Sophie Liebknecht (Laura Dunn). Germany and Russia were not friendly places
to be during the early to mid 1900’s, especially if you were of Jewish heritage
and a political outspoken Marxist.
Decisions must be made and friendship could not stand in the way of what
one truly believed, regardless of the consequences. Add to the cast Rebekah Stiles reading the
stage directions.

There is a famous poem by Robert Frost about a person having
to choose between two paths that led through a forest and having to choose
which one to take—the one much used, or the one “less traveled by.” And that crossroad, and your choice of which
path to take, can make all the difference in your life. These two ladies had that same kind of choice
to make.

Rosa and her husband, Leo (Kyle Huth, also Music Director),
were revolutionaries and would spend much of their lives in prison. Sophie
believed that being a mother and bringing another generation into this world
was her role in life, but she did question what sort of world would it be
then. Also her husband, Karl (Eli
Ronick), was of the same mind as her friends, so her choice to stand her ground
was made even more difficult.

I can’t tell you more without revealing plot devices but
what raises this concept a couple notches above the norm, is how the friendship
between these two women endured, mainly through letters, and the humor that
still existed in their lives, giving atmosphere of these harsh times a lighter
note on occasion. Also, the original
music and songs by Dunn, and the plethora of instruments the cast played,
really does give it an edge, as they are quite impressive.

I recommend seeing the full production in May, as they are
going to add dancers to the show and will probably expand the script and cast. If you do choose to see it, please tell them
Dennis sent you.

Who is Dennis Sparks?

It is only fair, I believe, to give you a little
background on myself, if you are going to be reading my reviews and will be
considering me a source to see plays.

To
begin with, most reviewers in the media have little or no practical experience
in the actual arts themselves.They may
have dabbled a bit in a play or film, at some point, but their main source for
reviewing, is experience in journalism, literature and other exposures to the
written word.This is not true in my
case.

Yes, I have had some experience in journalism, but my major focus for the past 40 years has been the performing arts. Most of it in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the Western New York area. I have worked backstage as a “techie” and onstage as an actor. I have been an Artistic Director of three companies and have been a Producer and founder of two. I have directed many shows and written a few stage plays, as well, some of which have been performed. I have taught drama to adults and Youth and have even written screenplays. And, yes, have written reviews for theatre and film for four weekly newspapers over the years, most recently, for the Vancouver Voice.

I share this information with you, not to be bragging, but for you to know that I am well-versed in all aspects of the performing arts. Thus, my opinions are based on a solid background in the field. I am a firm supporter of the Arts and the importance of it in our Society. But I am also an observer, an audience member, as well, of many shows. And, as such, am critical when I can sense that a performance or production is not at the top of their game. Therefore, I feel obligated to point out these “rooms for improvement” but I hope, in a constructive way.

Also, I do not want to discourage a viewer from seeing a show because I didn’t feel it was “up to snuff.” On the contrary, I want you to see it and form your own opinion. I just hope that I have given you some things to look at that are good and, perhaps, not so good. I encourage everyone to see plays. I promise you, at the very least, you will become a more well-rounded and aware person because of it. Through the eyes of artists, you will experience a world of possibilities. And, in possibilities, there is Hope. And couldn’t we all have just a little more of that in our World?!